Thousands of sandwiches eaten by delegates at the COP26 conference in Glasgow were transported nearly 150 miles by road, it has emerged.
Food for the global climate summit, which wrapped up this week, was produced by Sandwich Larder in Aberdeen and delivered to the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) along the River Clyde.
The journey takes around two hours and 40 minutes in light traffic, covering 146.7 miles, according to Google Maps.
Scotland on Sunday reported the sandwiches were transported using hybrid electric vehicles, making the journey at least partially emission-free.
However, motoring experts say most hybrids can only manage around 40 miles on battery power alone before having to switch back to their petrol or diesel engine.
Catering contractors working on behalf of the SEC say the carbon emissions associated with transporting the food to COP26 will be offset - and defended their decision to use suppliers from further afield.
Levy UK & I, which runs SEC Food, sold the sandwiches at a series of temporary cafes at the conference but said any carbon emissions would be offset.
Its spokesperson said: “We looked at a number of Scottish sandwich suppliers who could supply the high volume that was required, as well as using good quality Scottish ingredients.
"We can confirm the company is based in Aberdeen.
“Our logistics partner uses a hybrid vehicle to deliver them.
“Additionally, as part of the commitment to being a carbon-neutral event all food source and deliveries will be taken into the final total and offsetting calculations.”
A COP26 spokesperson said: “Sustainability is at the core of COP26.
“COP26 will be a carbon-neutral event and we will be the first Cop to achieve validation under the internationally recognised standard, PAS2060.”
PAS2060 is a globally accepted standard for carbon neutrality - ensuring that any carbon emissions are negated with climate friendly measures such as tree planting.
The transporting of sandwiches using gas-guzzling cars is only the latest in a series of apparent hypocrisies associated with COP26, which ended yesterday with what critics branded a watered-down agreement to "phase down" the use of fossil fuels.
Private jets flying in and out of Glasgow to attend the conference were estimated to belch out as much CO2 as 1,600 Scots would be responsible for in a year.
And city council chiefs have admitted that the sheer influx of people and additional congestion caused by the summit may have actually led to a rise in air pollution.
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